International Student Olympiad in Surgery named after academician F. G. Uglov. Silver performance of the team of Belarusian State Medical University

The team of Belarusian State Medical University, under the leadership of head of the Department of Operative Surgery and Topographic Anatomy, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor Nikolai Bovtyuk, took part in the International Student Olympiad in Surgery named after academician F. G. Uglov, which was held in Irkutsk from the 13th to the 16th of February. This year, based on the results of the correspondence stage, in which 94 teams were entered, only 10 best teams were selected to compete in the finals. One hundred students seeking professional growth in the field of surgery represented various cities in Russia, Belarus, Mongolia and Uzbekistan. Among the honored guests of the event was Grigory Uglov, a son of the famous surgeon Fyodor Uglov.

The participation of the Belarusian team in this Olympiad is symbolic, since the Belarusian professor Grigory Rychagov was engaged in scientific work during his student years and in 1969–1971 he underwent training at clinical residency at the Department of Hospital Surgery of the 1st Leningrad Medical Institute named after academician I.P. Pavlov under the guidance of academician Fyodor Uglov. Nikolai Bovtyuk, a student and follower of Professor Grigory Rychagov, donated the book “Professor Rychagov. Surgeon, scientist, lecturer."

Throughout the Olympiad, the participants competed in various competitions, including those dedicated to abdominal surgery, microsurgery, kidney transplantation, coronary artery bypass surgery, and endovideosurgery. The students performed real operations on animal organ complexes, demonstrating a high level of training and the ability to make quick decisions in difficult situations. For the first time, a competition in anesthesiology and resuscitation was included in the program (which emphasizes the importance of teamwork between surgeons and anesthesiologists), and BSMU student Polina Sas was recognized as the best one. The son of the famous surgeon, Grigory Uglov, presented her the book “The Surgeon Who Defeated Time,” noting the skill and high professionalism of the future doctor from Belarus.

The Student Round Table with medical experts, where current issues of modern surgery and anesthesiology were discussed, was also an important event. During this event, representatives of each team shared the stories of the creation of their universities, and also exchanged experience in scientific activities at universities. Belarusian State Medical University was worthily presented by head of the operative surgery and topographic anatomy circle, Pavel Gorbatovsky.

Following the results of three competitive days, the team from Belarusian State Medical University took the second place, demonstrating excellent theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

“At this Olympics there are all already winners, since it brought together the best ones. Such events are a great opportunity to express yourself, share experiences, and gain unique knowledge. Our country, the Union State, has a future thanks to purposeful, talented youth!” – emphasized Nikolai Bovtyuk, head of the Department of Operative Surgery and Topographic Anatomy.

“The preparation for the Olympics was long and intense. But we tried to grasp the immensity. And I think we managed to represent the university and the Republic as a whole at a decent level,” Alexandra Kirshchenya, a student at the Faculty of Medicine, shared her impressions.

By the way, in addition to the competitive program, the participants of the Olympiad received a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the leading medical institutions of Irkutsk, learn more about the surgical school of the region, and also visit one of the natural wonders of Russia - Lake Baikal.

The BSMU team expresses gratitude to the Rector, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Sergey Rubnikovich, Vice-Rector for International Relations, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Vasili Roudenok, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor Mikhail Revtovich, Dean of the Faculty of Pediatrics, Candidate of Medical Sciences Natalya Panulina for creating conditions for preparing the team and the opportunity to participate in the Olympiad. We are also grateful to all doctors of healthcare institutions and specialists of other clinical departments for their assistance in the good preparation of the team. We are proud of the results achieved and will strive for new heights!

Congratulations to all the winners and medalists of the Olympiad! Let this experience be an important step towards surgical excellence.

Authors: Department of Operative Surgery and Topographic Anatomy of BSMU

The photos are taken from the archives of the department

Translation: Diana Petrushkevich-Hourou